The International Mourns the Passing of Retired International Vice President Alan Cowley

Former International Vice President Alan Leslie Cowley passed peacefully at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Friday, August 29, 2014 at the age of 80.

Brother Cowley first became a member of the IA in 1958 as a Charter Member of the newly formed Motion Picture Technicians Local 873 in Toronto. On January 10, 1961, he obtained Apprentice status in Stage Local 58 and on January 9, 1965 Brother Cowley achieved journeyman membership in the Local. During Al’s long and varied career, he toured North America with the likes of the National Ballet of Canada, Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Livent. On July 10th 1973, as a member of Hamilton Stage Local 129, Al was hired as the first Head Carpenter of the newly built Hamilton Place, a post he held for a year.

Al Cowley was a stagehand’s stagehand, well-versed and highly skilled in all areas of his craft. “Work hard and get the job done,” was Al’s credo right ‘til the end, and he was a union man through and through. He was not only a champion of the labour movement but his interest and involvement with the IATSE went well beyond the three Locals to which he belonged. In 1982, Al was elected to the office of International Vice President, a position he held until he retired in 1995.

During his tenure, Al served three International Presidents and carried out many, many assignments, assisting Locals across Canada with various issues and contract negotiations when they needed help. Brother Cowley remained engaged and was an active member in good standing of the IATSE for 56 years.